Differences

between Analog
and Digital Signals
CS-391
Ye Yang

Where Analog and digital

signals be used?
Analog and digital signals are used to

transmit information, usually through

electric signals. In both these
technologies, the information, such as
any audio or video, is transformed into
electric signals.

The difference between

Analog and Digital Signals
Analog

Digital

Singals

Analog signal is a
continuous signal
which represents
physical
measurements.

Digital signals are

discrete time signals
generated by digital
modulation.

waves

Denoted by sine
waves

Denoted by square waves

Representati
on

Uses continuous
Uses discrete or
range of values to
discontinuous values to
represent information represent information

The difference between

Analog and Digital Signals
Analog

Digital

Technology

Analog technology
records waveforms
as they are.

Samples analog
waveforms into a
limited set of numbers
and records them.

Response to
Noise

More likely to get

affected reducing
accuracy

Less affected since

noise response are
analog in nature

Flexibility

Analog hardware is
not flexible

Digital hardware is
flexible in
implementation.

The difference between

Analog and Digital Signals

Uses

Cost

Memory

Analog

Digital

Can be used in analog

devices only. Best
suited for audio and
video transmission.

Best suited for Computing

and digital electronics.

Low cost and portable

Stored in the form of
wave signal

Cost is high and not easily

portable
Stored in the form of binary
bit